The Secretary shall establish a surface transportation block grant program in accordance with this section to provide flexible funding to address State and local transportation needs.
Funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(2) for the surface transportation block grant program may be obligated for the following:
Construction of—
(A) highways, bridges, tunnels, including designated routes of the Appalachian development highway system and local access roads under section 14501 of title 40;
(B) ferry boats and terminal facilities eligible for funding under section 129(c);
(C) transit capital projects eligible for assistance under chapter 53 of title 49;
(D) infrastructure-based intelligent transportation systems capital improvements, including the installation of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication equipment;
(E) truck parking facilities eligible for funding under section 1401 of MAP–21 (23 U.S.C. 137 note); and
(F) border infrastructure projects eligible for funding under section 1303 of SAFETEA–LU (23 U.S.C. 101 note).
(2) Operational improvements and capital and operating costs for traffic monitoring, management, and control facilities and programs.
(3) Environmental measures eligible under sections 119(g), 328, and 329 and transportation control measures listed in section 108(f)(1)(A) (other than clause (xvi) of that section) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7408(f)(1)(A)).
(4) Highway and transit safety infrastructure improvements and programs, including railway-highway grade crossings.
(5) Fringe and corridor parking facilities and programs in accordance with section 137 and carpool projects in accordance with section 146.
(6) Recreational trails projects eligible for funding under section 206, pedestrian and bicycle projects in accordance with section 217 (including modifications to comply with accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.)), and the safe routes to school program under section 1404 of SAFETEA–LU (23 U.S.C. 402 note).
(7) Planning, design, or construction of boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former Interstate System routes or other divided highways.
(8) Development and implementation of a State asset management plan for the National Highway System and a performance-based management program for other public roads.
(9) Protection (including painting, scour countermeasures, seismic retrofits, impact protection measures, security countermeasures, and protection against extreme events) for bridges (including approaches to bridges and other elevated structures) and tunnels on public roads, and inspection and evaluation of bridges and tunnels and other highway assets.
(10) Surface transportation planning programs, highway and transit research and development and technology transfer programs, and workforce development, training, and education under chapter 5 of this title.
(11) Surface transportation infrastructure modifications to facilitate direct intermodal interchange, transfer, and access into and out of a port terminal.
(12) Projects and strategies designed to support congestion pricing, including electronic toll collection and travel demand management strategies and programs.
(13) At the request of a State, and upon Secretarial approval of credit assistance under chapter 6, subsidy and administrative costs necessary to provide an eligible entity Federal credit assistance under chapter 6 with respect to a project eligible for assistance under this section.
(14) The creation and operation by a State of an office to assist in the design, implementation, and oversight of public-private partnerships eligible to receive funding under this title and chapter 53 of title 49, and the payment of a stipend to unsuccessful private bidders to offset their proposal development costs, if necessary to encourage robust competition in public-private partnership procurements.
(15) Any type of project eligible under this section as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the FAST Act, including projects described under section 101(a)(29) as in effect on such day.
A surface transportation block grant project may not be undertaken on a road functionally classified as a local road or a rural minor collector unless the road was on a Federal-aid highway system on January 1, 1991, except—
(1) for a bridge or tunnel project (other than the construction of a new bridge or tunnel at a new location);
(2) for a project described in paragraphs (4) through (11) of subsection (b);
(3) for a project described in section 101(a)(29), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the FAST Act; and
(4) as approved by the Secretary.
Of the funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(2) (after the reservation of funds under subsection (h))—
Of the funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(2) (after the reservation of funds under subsection (h))—
(A) the percentage specified in paragraph (6) for a fiscal year shall be obligated under this section, in proportion to their relative shares of the population of the State— (i) in urbanized areas of the State with an urbanized area population of over 200,000; (ii) in areas of the State other than urban areas with a population greater than 5,000; and (iii) in other areas of the State; and
(B) the remainder may be obligated in any area of the State.
(2) Metropolitan areas.— Funds attributed to an urbanized area under paragraph (1)(A)(i) may be obligated in the metropolitan area established under section 134 that encompasses the urbanized area.
(3) Consultation with regional transportation planning organizations.— For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)(iii), before obligating funding attributed to an area with a population greater than 5,000 and less than 200,000, a State shall consult with the regional transportation planning organizations that represent the area, if any.
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amount of funds that a State is required to obligate under paragraph (1)(A)(i) shall be obligated in urbanized areas described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) based on the relative population of the areas.
(A) In general.— Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amount of funds that a State is required to obligate under paragraph (1)(A)(i) shall be obligated in urbanized areas described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) based on the relative population of the areas.
(B) Other factors.— The State may obligate the funds described in subparagraph (A) based on other factors if the State and the relevant metropolitan planning organizations jointly apply to the Secretary for the permission to base the obligation on other factors and the Secretary grants the request.
(5) Applicability of planning requirements.— Programming and expenditure of funds for projects under this section shall be consistent with sections 134 and 135.
The percentage referred to in paragraph (1)(A) is—
(A) for fiscal year 2016, 51 percent;
(B) for fiscal year 2017, 52 percent;
(C) for fiscal year 2018, 53 percent;
(D) for fiscal year 2019, 54 percent; and
(E) for fiscal year 2020, 55 percent.
A State that is required to obligate in an urbanized area with an urbanized area population of over 200,000 individuals under subsection (d) funds apportioned to the State under section 104(b)(2) shall make available during the period of fiscal years 2016 through 2020 an amount of obligation authority distributed to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for use in the area that is equal to the amount obtained by multiplying—
A State that is required to obligate in an urbanized area with an urbanized area population of over 200,000 individuals under subsection (d) funds apportioned to the State under section 104(b)(2) shall make available during the period of fiscal years 2016 through 2020 an amount of obligation authority distributed to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for use in the area that is equal to the amount obtained by multiplying—
(A) the aggregate amount of funds that the State is required to obligate in the area under subsection (d) during the period; and
(B) the ratio that— (i) the aggregate amount of obligation authority distributed to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs during the period; bears to (ii) the total of the sums apportioned to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs (excluding sums not subject to an obligation limitation) during the period.
(2) Joint responsibility.— Each State, each affected metropolitan planning organization, and the Secretary shall jointly ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to any project not on a Federal-aid highway for the replacement of a bridge or rehabilitation of a bridge that is wholly funded from State and local sources, is eligible for Federal funds under this section, is noncontroversial, is certified by the State to have been carried out in accordance with all standards applicable to such projects under this section, and is determined by the Secretary upon completion to be no longer a deficient bridge—
(1) Definition of off-system bridge.— In this subsection, the term “off-system bridge” means a highway bridge located on a public road, other than a bridge on a Federal-aid highway.
Of the amounts apportioned to a State for fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter under this section, the State shall obligate for activities described in subsection (b)(2) for off-system bridges an amount that is not less than 15 percent of the amount of funds apportioned to the State for the highway bridge program for fiscal year 2009, except that amounts allocated under subsection (d) shall not be obligated to carry out this subsection.
(A) Set-aside.— Of the amounts apportioned to a State for fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter under this section, the State shall obligate for activities described in subsection (b)(2) for off-system bridges an amount that is not less than 15 percent of the amount of funds apportioned to the State for the highway bridge program for fiscal year 2009, except that amounts allocated under subsection (d) shall not be obligated to carry out this subsection.
(B) Reduction of expenditures.— The Secretary, after consultation with State and local officials, may reduce the requirement for expenditures for off-system bridges under subparagraph (A) with respect to the State if the Secretary determines that the State has inadequate needs to justify the expenditure.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to any project not on a Federal-aid highway for the replacement of a bridge or rehabilitation of a bridge that is wholly funded from State and local sources, is eligible for Federal funds under this section, is noncontroversial, is certified by the State to have been carried out in accordance with all standards applicable to such projects under this section, and is determined by the Secretary upon completion to be no longer a deficient bridge—
(A) any amount expended after the date of enactment of this subsection from State and local sources for the project in excess of 20 percent of the cost of construction of the project may be credited to the non-Federal share of the cost of other bridge projects in the State that are eligible for Federal funds under this section; and
(B) that crediting shall be conducted in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary.
Notwithstanding subsection (c), and except as provided in paragraph (2), up to 15 percent of the amounts required to be obligated by a State under subsection (d)(1)(A)(ii) for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020 may be obligated on roads functionally classified as minor collectors.
(1) Special rule.— Notwithstanding subsection (c), and except as provided in paragraph (2), up to 15 percent of the amounts required to be obligated by a State under subsection (d)(1)(A)(ii) for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020 may be obligated on roads functionally classified as minor collectors.
(2) Suspension.— The Secretary may suspend the application of paragraph (1) with respect to a State if the Secretary determines that the authority provided under paragraph (1) is being used excessively by the State.
Of the funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(2) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve an amount such that—
Of the funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(2) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve an amount such that—
(A) the Secretary reserves a total under this subsection of— (i) $835,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017; and (ii) $850,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2020; and
(B) the State’s share of that total is determined by multiplying the amount under subparagraph (A) by the ratio that— (i) the amount apportioned to the State for the transportation enhancements program for fiscal year 2009 under section 133(d)(2), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of MAP–21; bears to (ii) the total amount of funds apportioned to all States for the transportation enhancements program for fiscal year 2009.
Funds reserved for a State under paragraph (1) shall be obligated within that State in the manner described in subsection (d), except that, for purposes of this paragraph (after funds are made available under paragraph (5))—
(A) for each fiscal year, the percentage referred to in paragraph (1)(A) of that subsection shall be deemed to be 50 percent; and
(B) the following provisions shall not apply: (i) Paragraph (3) of subsection (d). (ii) Subsection (e).
(3) Eligible projects.— Funds reserved under this subsection may be obligated for projects or activities described in section 101(a)(29) or 213, as such provisions were in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the FAST Act.
In this paragraph, the term “eligible entity” means—
(A) In general.— A State or metropolitan planning organization required to obligate funds in accordance with paragraph (2) shall develop a competitive process to allow eligible entities to submit projects for funding that achieve the objectives of this subsection. A metropolitan planning organization for an area described in subsection (d)(1)(A)(i) shall select projects under such process in consultation with the relevant State.
(B) Eligible entity defined.—In this paragraph, the term “eligible entity” means— (i) a local government; (ii) a regional transportation authority; (iii) a transit agency; (iv) a natural resource or public land agency; (v) a school district, local education agency, or school; (vi) a tribal government; (vii) a nonprofit entity responsible for the administration of local transportation safety programs; and (viii) any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for or oversight of transportation or recreational trails (other than a metropolitan planning organization or a State agency) that the State determines to be eligible, consistent with the goals of this subsection.
For each fiscal year, a State shall—
(A) obligate an amount of funds reserved under this section equal to the amount of the funds apportioned to the State for fiscal year 2009 under section 104(h)(2), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of MAP–21, for projects relating to recreational trails under section 206;
(B) return 1 percent of those funds to the Secretary for the administration of that program; and
(C) comply with the provisions of the administration of the recreational trails program under section 206, including the use of apportioned funds described in subsection (d)(3)(A) of that section.
A State may opt out of the recreational trails program under paragraph (5) if the Governor of the State notifies the Secretary not later than 30 days prior to apportionments being made for any fiscal year.
(A) Recreational trails.— A State may opt out of the recreational trails program under paragraph (5) if the Governor of the State notifies the Secretary not later than 30 days prior to apportionments being made for any fiscal year.
(B) Large urbanized areas.— A metropolitan planning area may use not to exceed 50 percent of the funds reserved under this subsection for an urbanized area described in subsection (d)(1)(A)(i) for any purpose eligible under subsection (b).
Each State or metropolitan planning organization responsible for carrying out the requirements of this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes—
(A) In general.—Each State or metropolitan planning organization responsible for carrying out the requirements of this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes— (i) the number of project applications received for each fiscal year, including— (I) the aggregate cost of the projects for which applications are received; and (II) the types of projects to be carried out, expressed as percentages of the total apportionment of the State under this subsection; and (ii) the number of projects selected for funding for each fiscal year, including the aggregate cost and location of projects selected.
(B) Public availability.— The Secretary shall make available to the public, in a user-friendly format on the Web site of the Department of Transportation, a copy of each annual report submitted under subparagraph (A).
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, projects funded under this section (excluding those carried out under subsection (h)(5)) shall be treated as projects on a Federal-aid highway under this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 102–240, title I, § 1007(a)(1), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1927; amended Pub. L. 103–429, § 3(4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4377; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §§ 315, 316, Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 586, 587; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §§ 1108(a)–(e), 1212(a)(2)(A)(i), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 138–140, 193; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1113(a)–(b)(2), (c)–(e), title VI, § 6006(a)(2), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1171, 1172, 1872; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, §§ 1108, 1519(c)(7), formerly § 1519(c)(8), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 440, 576, renumbered § 1519(c)(7), Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, § 1446(d)(5)(B), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1438; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §§ 1109(b), 1407(b), 1446(d)(5)(C), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1338, 1410, 1438.)
